UTILITIES: A federal judge gives preliminary approval for a $180 million settlement between FirstEnergy executives and shareholders involving the power plant bailout law scandal. (Cleveland.com)
PIPELINES:
• Enbridge asks a federal court to deny a tribe’s effort to shut down the Line 5 pipeline over potential threats to the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin, which tribal leaders have said would be an “act of cultural genocide” if permitted. (E&E News, subscription; Michigan Advance)
• Five North Dakota counties have now issued formal yet non-binding opposition to the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. (Minot Daily News)
Sponsored Link
Webinar: Pollinator-friendly solar
Research confirms the renewable energy sector provides a unique opportunity for creating pollinator habitat. Join Monarch Joint Venture, MNL, and Connexus Energy on May 18 to learn more.
SOLAR:
• A Minnesota oil refinery operator is moving forward with a $75 million onsite solar project despite turbulence in the solar market. (Star Tribune)
• Eastern Michigan local officials say a developer pursuing a utility-scale rural solar project is misinterpreting local regulations on the amount of solar development allowed on farmland. (WNEM)
TRANSMISSION: Missouri lawmakers pass legislation that increases landowner protections and benefits when companies use eminent domain to build future transmission lines. (Missouri Independent)
EFFICIENCY: Home energy efficiency retrofits are gaining steam in Wisconsin as the state pursues more climate change action. (PBS Wisconsin)
WIND: A proposed 260 MW wind project in southeastern Minnesota that promises roughly $1 million a year in new revenue to local governments receives pushback from neighboring landowners. (KTTC)
GRID: North Dakota regulators express concerns to state lawmakers about the potential for rolling outages this summer. (KFYR)
COAL:
• Illinois environmental groups plan to appeal a state pollution discharge permit that was approved for a downstate coal mine. (Southern Illinoisan)
• A former Iowa coal plant that closed in late 2021 is set to resume operations powered solely by natural gas. (The Hawk Eye)
• CenterPoint energy asks Indiana regulators to approve a securitization plan for a former coal plant that could deliver $60 million in savings for customers. (WEHT)
EMISSIONS: A Michigan startup is developing a device that would attach to large diesel trucks to capture carbon emissions that would be resold to various end users. (Bridge Michigan)
Sponsored Link
Webinar: Minnesota Power’s long-range energy plan
The investments utilities make in energy infrastructure have major impacts on public health, environmental justice, equity, and beyond. Join Fresh Energy and partners on May 19 to learn what a new study in Minnesota revealed about one utility’s long-range plan.
OVERSIGHT: A Nebraska mayor will unseat a longtime member of the state’s Public Service Commission who represents 31 counties in eastern Nebraska. (Hastings Tribune)
COMMENTARY: ComEd customers in Illinois are set to receive $1 billion in electric bill savings based on negotiations to bail out three nuclear plants last year — a rare victory for customers amid rising energy costs, an editorial board writes. (Chicago Sun-Times)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West